CEO - Age International

Age International's vision is a world where every older person is included and valued. Its mission is to inspire and channel UK and international support so that older people in challenging situations across the world can improve their lives.

CEO of Age International provides leadership to a committed and dynamic charity which champions the rights, and improves the lives, of older people in low- and middle-income countries.

This is an exceptional opportunity to lead Age International at a pivotal moment for the rights and wellbeing of older people globally. As CEO you will provide inspirational leadership to an organisation with a strong reputation, deep expertise and a clear purpose: to ensure that older people everywhere can live with dignity, security and choice.

While the current strategy is defined, you will deliver this and then shape a new, ambitious strategy in years to come, working to influence policy, mobilise resources and nurture powerful partnerships that bring about lasting change.

With credibility, compassion and determination, you will champion the voices of older people internationally and lead Age International into its next chapter of impact and influence.

Person specification:

Essential:

• Strategic vision, forward-looking, clear-thinking strategist able to read the environment and lead strategy processes.
• Passionate, values-based leader, committed to advancing the rights of older people.
• Senior leadership and governance experience in a complex organisation, preferably in the charitable / NGO sector.
• Strong experience of international development and humanitarian programme development and management, and related policy issues.
• Experienced income generator with financial acumen.
• Collaborative, relational team builder and manager committed to diversity equality and inclusion, able to use soft-power to build support.
• Partnership-builder creating impact greater than the sum of the parts.
• Confident external affairs representative, manager of stakeholder engagement and spokesperson, including for the media.
• Advocate and confident influencer able to drive policy change
• Engaging and effective communicator and campaigner, able to explain impact, inspire support and grow profile.
• Calm manager of change who is both agile and pragmatic.
• Thrives working in a small team on a big mission.
• Willing to travel internationally on programme monitoring visits and for conferences.

Desirable:

• Understanding of UN processes, health system strengthening, income security and social pensions, able to articulate the impact of gender discrimination and climate change on older people internationally.
• Experience as a CEO or of overseeing organisational management, policies and compliance.
• Technology and digital skills.
• Experience of leading public change campaigning.
• Experience as a Trustee.

What we offer in return:

• Competitive salary, 26 days annual leave + bank holidays + annual leave purchase scheme
• Excellent pension scheme, life assurance, Health cashback plan and EAP
• Car Benefit Scheme, Cycle to Work Scheme and Season Ticket Loan
• Techscheme - buy any tech from Apple or Currys, up to £1000, and spread the cost over 12 months, interest free
• Blue Light Card Scheme
• You Did It Awards - recognition awards from £100-250.

Additional Information

The closing date for applications is 14th September, 2026.

Anonymisation

All equalities monitoring information is also anonymised and not shared with the hiring panel. Your name and address will only be known to us if you are invited for interview.

Equal opportunities & Disability Confident Scheme

Age UK is an Equal Opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates, regardless of age, sex, race, disability, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital/civil partnership status, or pregnancy and maternity. Age UK is a Disability Confident Scheme employer. Due to high numbers of applications received, Age UK reserves the right to limit the overall number of interviews offered, and therefore, it may not always be practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people that meet the minimum criteria for the job.

Age UK is a Disability Confident Scheme employer. Due to high numbers of applications received, Age UK reserves the right to limit the overall number of interviews offered, and therefore, it may not always be practicable or appropriate to interview all disabled people that meet the minimum criteria for the job.

Reasonable adjustments

Disabled job seekers can access reasonable adjustments at any stage of the recruitment process. All requests for reasonable adjustments are considered on a case-by-case basis, in collaboration with the disabled job seeker to best meet their needs, by contacting the Recruitment Team. Disability disclosures will be kept confidential and only shared on a need-to-know basis to support the implementation of adjustments. Disclosures will not be used to inform hiring decisions.

Safeguarding

Age UK is committed to safeguarding adults at risk, and children, from abuse and neglect. We expect everyone who works with us to share this commitment.

Age UK politely requests no contact from recruitment agencies or media sales. We do not accept speculative CVs from recruitment agencies nor accept the fees associated with them.